Trevor Bauer has been under a microscope since it became evident MLB would enforce their rule against foreign substances being applied to baseballs. Bauer’s spin rates dropped and he suffered consecutive losses for the first time since joining the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bauer publicly lobbied MLB for multiple years to take action in response to widespread use of banned substances, though to no avail. With a blind eye being turned, Bauer is presumed to have started utilizing sticky stuff to bolster his pitches.
The right-hander again looked the part of his Cy Young Award self on Friday night. Bauer turned in seven scoreless innings and finished with eight strikeouts while holding the Arizona Diamondbacks to just three hits.
“I think my pace in between pitches was a little bit better, my command was a little bit better,” Bauer said after the 3-0 win at Chase Field. “I got a little out of wack there a couple times; obviously three walks is too many. But I just think the flow of the game was a lot better.
“I was in a lot better rhythm from the start and the mechanical adjustments I’ve been kind of fighting and trying to make the last two or three starts finally felt normal and like I could just let the ball rip right where I wanted to most of the time.”
Bauer further explained he does not have a set time or internal clock between pitches nor is there an emphasis on accelerating his delivery. “Just getting the ball and not thinking as much,” he said.
“I wanted to keep the pace of play high because I felt like it would benefit me and the rhythm and ability to command the ball, but also help the guys in the field so they’re not just sitting out there for extended periods of time.”
Bauer competing with Buehler
Another difference for Bauer against the Diamondbacks was throwing his two-seamer and changeup with more frequency; the latter of which has him in competition with Walker Buehler for most strikeouts on.
“I’m up by two now, or three maybe. I think I’m up three, so he’s going to have to do some work to catch up,” Bauer said of his changeup.
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